NATIONAL NEWS - Statistics South Africa will conduct a population census from 10 to 31 October this year.
Census 2011 will be the third census since the country became a democracy in 1994.

The fieldworkers deployed around the country will collect data from all households, institutions, and from those who live on the streets. Visitors, legal and illegal immigrants will also be counted to ensure that everyone present in the country during the period of the census is counted.

What is a population census?
A population census, as defined by the United Nations, is "the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country or a well-defined part of the country".

A population census is the most complex and massive exercise a national statistical office undertakes. It requires mapping the entire country, mobilising and training a huge number of enumerators, conducting a comprehensive publicity campaign, canvassing all households to participate, collecting individual information, compiling vast amounts of completed questionnaires, and analysing and disseminating the data.

For many people, the census may be the only time that the state reaches them and asks them a question.
A population census is typically held every five years, but because of a lack of capacity within Statistics South Africa, it was decided that the interval will be extended to 10 years. A Community Survey was conducted in the place of the 2006 census.

The importance of a population census
The census plays an essential role in public administration. The results are used to ensure:

• equity in distribution of government services
• distributing and allocating government funds among various regions and districts for education and health services
• delineating electoral districts at national and local levels, and
• measuring the impact of industrial development, to name a few.

The census also provides the benchmark for all surveys conducted by the national statistical office. Without the sampling frame derived from the census, the national statistical system would face difficulties in providing reliable official statistics for use by government and the public.

Census also provides information on small areas and population groups with minimum sampling errors. This is important, for example, in planning the location of a school or clinic.

Census information is also invaluable for use in the private sector for activities such as business planning and market analyses.